It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
